I am here to help you with these often stressful decisions or needs.  It is not my job to tell you what to do, but I can always help you learn more about your healthcare options.  Like everything in life, the more you are prepared the better you will be able to make choices and be served.  I won’t always know what the answer is to what you are asking, but I will try my best to find out.

Please feel free to contact me if I can serve you by calling me at the church  463-3173, Ext. 23

One of the most important roles of a Parish Nurse is health advocate.  In the present state of healthcare it has become more important to “have someone on your side” as you try to negotiate your way through the medical system.

What does this have to do with you?   If you have:

• A medical question, need an answer, and don’t know where to get it
• An important medical appointment/procedure and need someone to go with you to ask the right questions and provide support
• If you are hitting road blocks with your insurance company or healthcare provider
• If you are not sure what to expect from a healthcare provider and need reassurance
• If you need help or resources and don’t know where to start to get it

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Things to remember when you travel:     As you pack, I encourage you to gather some information from your healthcare providers and take it with you.  Healthcare providers are often overwhelmed by the huge influx of seasonal patients and often have difficulty accommodating their needs.  I recommend you plan ahead. (You really should always have these things readily available--not just when you are taking a trip)                        Make a list of :

• All medications you are on, prescribed, over the counter, supplements or herbs, with DOSE and the name and phone number of the pharmacy you use up north. 

• Names, addresses and phone/fax numbers of all of your doctors

• Allergies to medication or food

• Chronic medical problems diagnosed by physician/practitioner, list of surgeries or hospitalizations

•  Insurance companies/coverage

See your doctor for prescription refills, blood work, get a copy of any medical records/special instructions related to your CURRENT care/health. Bring copies of legal documents:   Living Will, Health Surrogate/POA, organ donation requests,  “do not resuscitate” orders, death/burial arrangements. Hopefully, you won’t need any healthcare but if you do, you will be prepared.

Child Safety

For Parents, Grandparents and Family Members of children!  In this day and age child safety is an issue that has become more and more important for all families to address.  Child safety has become a priority in the home, schools, churches, and childcare centers.  Teaching our children about safety is perhaps one of the most important responsibility parents face today.  It is a huge task and often feels overwhelming and scary.  The good news is there are plenty of resources to help you. 

Please take the time to learn about child safety prevention if you are involved in a child’s life or care for a child.  There are great resources on the internet, at the library, schools, and through your parish nurse.  Please contact me if you have questions and concerns about a child’s safety.  The summer is approaching and is a time when accidents involving children increase dramatically related to swimming, bicycles, falls, and heatstroke.  It is also a time when there is an increase in exposure to abusers through internet use, camps and summer childcare arrangements.  Be prepared, talk and promote safety with your kids! 

 The following safety links may be helpful.

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

• Child & Family, Canada

• Child Safety Network of Australia

• KidsHealth

• KidSafe Australia

• Safe Kids

• Paranoidsisters.com

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

              God’s Love and Peace,                                                Sheila